Buyer found for Kraft Foods plant in Campbell

Upstate Niagara, a dairy farmer cooperative, has bought the struggling Kraft-Heinz facility in the Southern Tier and has pledged to keep at least 150 workers who were set to lose their jobs with the plant's imminent closure.
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There may be a new buyer for the Campbell Kraft Heinz plant.(Photo: FILE PHOTO)Buy Photo

A new buyer has been found for the Kraft-Heinz food plant in Campbell, but the deal isn't finalized and the buyer has not been named.

The plant was slated to close in late May but got a reprieve until August.

State, local and federal officials have worked with Kraft-Heinz in an attempt to find a new buyer and preserve the hundreds of jobs that are in jeopardy.

Jason Kaplan, a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, and Rich Azzopardi, spokesman for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, released a joint statement regarding the deal that's in the works.

"As they have since day one, Gov. Cuomo and Sen. Schumer have been working around the clock in an effort to keep the Campbell Kraft-Heinz plant open and retain as many jobs as possible," the statement said. "We are in the process of finalizing a deal with Kraft-Heinz and its buyer. Nothing is official yet, but both the governor and the senator are doing everything in their power to secure a good deal for the workers, regional dairy farmers and the local community."

Kraft-Heinz, which bought the former Pollio Dairy, planned to start laying off employees by May 25 if no other buyer could be found for the facility, which employs more than 300 people.

However, company officials extended employment for 330 employees at the Campbell cheese-making plant through Aug. 23.

The company issued layoff notices to employees in February.

U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, also released a statement Thursday regarding the sale of the Campbell plant.

“We are happy to see that a purchase agreement for the Kraft plant in Campbell is about to be finalized," Reed said in the statement. "The new company is committed to preserving jobs and growing the business, contributing to our local economy. This brings much needed stability and enhances our region.”

Kraft-Heinz, which bought the former Pollio Dairy, planned to start laying off employees by May 25 if no other buyer could be found for the facility, which employs more than 300 people.

However, company officials extended employment for 330 employees at the Campbell cheese-making plant through Aug. 23.

The company issued layoff notices to employees in February.

U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, also released a statement Thursday regarding the sale of the Campbell plant.

“We are happy to see that a purchase agreement for the Kraft plant in Campbell is about to be finalized," Reed said in the statement. "The new company is committed to preserving jobs and growing the business, contributing to our local economy. This brings much needed stability and enhances our region.”